The Best Encrypted Messaging Apps to Keep Your Chat Private

People are increasingly preferring messaging apps over traditional SMS because they offer more features. Individuals frequently reveal sensitive personal or business information during a session. Consequently, if scammers, cybercriminals, or advertisers obtain the aforementioned information, you risk suffering financial loss or damage to your reputation. A message encryption app is therefore essential, especially one that offers end-to-end encryption for your conversations.

The best encrypted messaging apps are reviewed in this post. But, keeping your information secret during a session will not be solid if you solely use an encrypted messaging app. For instance, while conversing, you might mistakenly click on a suspicious link or advertisement that includes a virus. To add a layer of encryption to your chat logs, it is advisable to use a safe VPN. Moreover, a VPN can protect all forms of web activity on your device, not just online chats. 

End-to-end encryption, also referred to as E2EE, is the process of using an algorithm that transforms standard text characters into an unreadable format from one endpoint to another. In the case of end-to-end encryption, only those possessing decryption keys (the sender and recipient) can access and see encrypted data. EE2E prevents any third parties from intercepting and modifying the data in transit.

Because unintended users don't have the access or ability to decrypt the data encrypted by end-to-end encryption, this encryption method is often used in messaging apps to keep conversations between its users private. On an end-to-end encrypted messaging app, the texts are only viewable by the message sender and receiver.

This part covers the top 3 encrypted messaging applications in the market that safeguards your personal or business messages from being leaked and collected without your awareness. You can grab this comparison table of the best secret texting apps for a quick takeaway.

1.  WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the leading and most used messaging app worldwide. In big countries like Germany, Spain, Italy, Finland, the UK, and India, over 90% of people use WhatsApp for both personal and professional information exchanges.

In terms of data privacy and security, WhatsApp uses Signal encryption protocol and end-to-end encryption to secure your messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, status updates and calls from falling into the wrong hands. It also offers an optional way for users to verify it is an end-to-end encrypted messaging app by verifying each chat's security code. It is a QR code and a 60-digit number and can be found on the contact info screen. Users can compare this code with the message sender and recipient. 

Pros:

Use Signal's end-to-end encryption protocol

Widely used 

Messages can self-destruct and disappear

Provide end-to-end encrypted backup

Cons:

Bought by Facebook and heavily monetized

was breached before

2.  Signal

Signal ranks second place because it is not as ubiquitous as WhatsApp and is still one of the best secret texting apps. It protects your text messages, video calls, group chats, media, and attachment sharing from being intercepted by anyone else but the persons involved in the interaction. 

Your chats are protected by Signal's own end-to-end encryption technology, which is so reliable and powerful that major tech businesses and other message encryption app services have embraced it.

Pros:

Use end-to-end encryption

Self-destructing messages after a period of time

Cons:

Phone number required for registration

Your friends may not be using it

3.  Facebook Messenger

Another secure message encryption app is Facebook Messenger. Over 80% of US people use Facebook Passenger as the optimal messaging solution. 

Users of Facebook Messenger may send and receive encrypted messages, photos, audio and video calls, group chats, and voice and video chats using the same end-to-end encryption technology as Signal. However, the end to end encryption is an optional feature. It means that users must choose the Secret Conversations feature for end-to-end encryption to be activated.

Pros:

Use Signal's end-to-end encryption

Self-destructing messages with a timer

Ubiquitous in the US

Cons:

Encryption is not the default

No chat history so past chats are not encrypted

Owned by Facebook

The end-to-end message encryption app is not as secure as you expect. For example, in November 2022, it was reported that personal data from 500 million WhatsApp users was leaked and sold online. It is wise to add additional protection to your online messages by installing a free VPN on your device.

How iTop VPN Works to Protect Your Messages 

iTop VPN works by routing your device's internet connection through your chosen private server and encrypting the internet traffic with modern advanced encryption algorithms. 

When your data is transmitted to the internet, it comes from the VPN server you connect on iTop VPN rather than your computer or other mobile devices. As a result, your real IP address is hidden from being detected and logged. 

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iTop VPN uses strong encryption technology, making sure your online messages are heavily encrypted with this safe VPN. 

In addition, this powerful VPN tool by iTop is the best VPN for streaming to unblock Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO, etc., and secures other web-based activities like streaming, gaming, and banking. It is also a free P2P VPN that supports torrenting. It is packed with security and privacy features like system reinforcement, ad-blocker, and browser history cleaner.

How to Use iTop VPN to Encrypt Online Messaging and Other Activity 

This section explains the steps to take to improve the security of both personal and business messaging.

Step 1: Free download and install iTop VPN on your device. The program offers dedicated apps for Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, and iPad. The screenshots were captured using iTop VPN for PC on a Windows machine.

Step 2: Launch iTop VPN and click For Social.

Step 3: Find the message encryption app you are using in the list. iTop VPN supports directly unblocking and protecting encrypted messaging apps including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Skype, Omegle, and Snapchat. It can also encrypt conversations on other encrypted messaging applications such as Signal, Threema, Wire, and Viber. 

Step 4: Click the Connect button. If you can't find the message encryption app you are using for a direct connection. Go back to the home window, and click the Connect button there. 

After iTop VPN for PC or mobile notifies you that you have successfully connected to a private and safe VPN server, you can start chatting with your friends without worrying about exposing your sensitive data. 

Conclusion 

If you are looking for a message encryption app, this article introduces three apps for private messaging - WhatsApp, Signal, and Facebook Messenger. Even though they all provide end-to-end encryption to your conversations, a data breach can still happen if apps are attacked or the companies themselves collect your information. 

To increase the security level, it is advisable to enable a VPN on your device. iTop VPN can create an encrypted tunnel in addition to end-to-end encryption for your texts, photos, videos, voice messages, stickers, and other contents during a messaging session. 

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